Playing court

ABSTRACT

A system (10) for generating markings on a playing surface (30) comprises a playing surface (30) including a phosphorescent material; and a display device (12) for irradiating the surface (30) with an electromagnetic radiation to generate a first set of markings on the surface (30).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a playing court or a playing surface, and to systems and methods for displaying or generating markings on a playing surface, for example, but not exclusively for use on a court used for recreational or competitive sports.

BACKGROUND

It is desirable to be able to use the same surface for different purposes. This may be true of courts or playing areas used for recreational activities, games or sports such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, football (soccer), futsal, badminton, handball, netball, American football, lacrosse, hockey, squash, or the like. For example, in countries with extremes in temperature, such courts are typically located indoors where it is impractical to provide a different court for each game which may be played. In addition, it may be desirable to provide a playing area capable of being used for a variety of activities of sports, for example in order to maximise potential use of a playing surface and therefore minimise costs and/or maximise revenues. This may be applicable either in indoor (e.g., gymnasium) or outdoor environments, whether in cities where real estate may be at a premium or in more rural areas where investment capital may be limited.

For these reasons it is known to provide playing surfaces with the markings for the courts corresponding to different games provided on the surfaces in different ways, for example using different colours. Typical ways in which such markings may be applied or displayed include adhesive tape or paint. A disadvantage of this is that this is confusing for the players, particularly in fast-acting games where there may not be time to discern one line from another merely based on the colouring.

US Patent Application Publication No 2008/0254920 (Oresky) discloses a surface selectively marked by using a coating containing quantum dots, which can emit coloured light when exposing the entire surface to a constant source of energy.

US Patent Application Publication No 2013/0120715 (Ueda) discloses a line display system including a plurality of projectors installed to project a line image on a floor surface. US Patent Application Publication No 2012/0065006 (Vogt) discloses an apparatus having a light source to project lines that define an area for an activity.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a playing surface, the playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material.

The material may be capable of absorbing radiation, for example radiation at predetermined wavelength, and may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, in a delayed manner. Advantageously, the material may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, following exposure to/with the radiation.

The phosphorescent material may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, following exposure to the radiation, for an amount of time sufficient for an activity, game and/or sport to be played on the surface. The material may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, following exposure to the radiation, for at least 1 hour, e.g. at least 2 hours, e.g. at least 3 hours. It will be understood that it not be necessary for the playing surface to display markings for the entire duration of an activity, game or match, but that it may be sufficient for the playing surface to display markings for an amount of time corresponding to the time between interruptions in the game. For example, if an activity or game involves a plurality of playing sections, such a two (halves), three (thirds) or four (quarters) playing sections, the markings can be re-activated during one or more intervals between the playing sections by irradiating or exposing the surface during one or more intervals.

The phosphorescent material may be provided within the surface material, e.g. may be impregnated, dispersed, or the like, within the matrix of the surface material.

The phosphorescent material may be provided on the surface material, e.g. may be coated on the surface.

The phosphorescent material may comprise or may be a pigment, dye, or other phosphorescent particle. For example, the company Day-Glo® markets a number of pigments and dyes which have a transient reaction to different forms of electromagnetic radiation. The terms “phosphorescent” and “transient” will be herein understood as referring to optical materials, e.g. pigments or dyes, which are capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation, for example radiation at predetermined wavelength, and may be capable of emitting light, e.g., visible light, in a delayed manner.

The electromagnetic radiation may include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, visible light, or the like.

The phosphorescent material may emit light, e.g. visible light, at given wavelength, e.g. may generate a given colour. For example, the phosphorescent material may appear in any colour, such as but not limited to green, red, blue, turquoise, purple, pink, white, yellow or orange, after exposure to the electromagnetic radiation.

The phosphorescent material may comprise any known phosphorescent material, e.g. pigments, including, for example, zinc sulfate, calcium sufide, an alkaline earth aluminate such as strontium aluminate, an alkaline earth oxide aluminate such as strontium oxide aluminate, an alkaline earth aluminate metal silicate such as strontium aluminate or any combination thereof.

Advantageously, the use of a phosphorescent material enables markings on the playing surface to be activated by exposure of the surface to a/the electromagnetic radiation, e.g. for a predetermined period of time. It will be appreciated that the amount of time required for activation of the surface may depend on a number of factors, including for example the type of phosphorescent material, the amount of time for which the markings are required to be displayed/visible after exposure/irradiation and/or the characteristics of the source of irradiation, e.g. wavelength, power, intensity, etc.

In use, the surface may be activated by exposing areas of the surface to a/the electromagnetic radiation, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for an activity, game or sport. Thus, only areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, may be exposed to the electromagnetic radiation.

The markings may correspond to playing court markings, e.g. lines, continuous lines, dotted lines, dashed lines, dots, spots, solid areas, or the like.

The markings may correspond to markings for use in an activity, game or sport selected from the list consisting of basketball, volleyball, tennis, football (soccer), futsal, badminton, handball, netball, American football, lacrosse, hockey, and squash, or any other activity, game or sport.

The playing surface may comprise a plurality of phosphorescent materials.

The playing surface may comprise a first phosphorescent material which may absorb energy at a first exposure wavelength, and may emit light at a first emission wavelength or may generate a first colour, following irradiation.

The playing surface may comprise a second phosphorescent material which may absorb energy at a second exposure wavelength, and may emit light at a second emission wavelength or may generate a second colour, following irradiation. The first exposure wavelength and the second exposure wavelength may be different. The first emission wavelength and the second emission wavelength may be different. The first colour and the second colour may be different.

Advantageously, providing a plurality of phosphorescent materials may allow a first set of markings to be activated by exposing the surface to a first exposure wavelength according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for a first activity, game or sport. Once the first activity is finished, the first set of markings can either be let to disappear, e.g. by waiting until the first phosphorescent material has released its stored energy, or by exposing an area, e.g. an area encompassing the first set of markings, to the first exposure wavelength in order to “wipe” the first set of markings and/or render the first set of markings invisible, e.g., relative to a surrounding or adjacent area. The surface may be exposed to a second exposure wavelength, e.g. according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for a second activity, game or sport to activate a second set of markings.

The surface may be provided with a number of phosphorescent materials. Each phosphorescent material may be used to activate a set of markings for an associated activity, game or sport. In an embodiment, there may be provided a phosphorescent material, and an associated exposure pattern, for each activity, game or sport intended to be used on the surface.

The surface may be provided indoor.

The surface may be provided outdoor.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for generating markings on a playing surface, the system comprising:

a playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material; and

a display device for irradiating the surface with an electromagnetic radiation so as to generate a first set of markings on the surface.

The playing surface may be a playing surface according to the first aspect of the invention.

The display device may comprise or may be a projector. The display device may be capable of exposing the surface to/with electromagnetic radiation, which may include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, visible light, or the like.

The display device may be configured to generate, project and/or illuminate an electromagnetic radiation on the surface, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for an activity, game or sport. Thus, the display device may be configured to expose, irradiate or illuminate areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a first exposure wavelength, e.g. to generate a first set of markings.

The display device may be capable of generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. at the first exposure wavelength, on the surface, e.g. on an area encompassing the first set of markings, in order to “wipe” the first set of markings and/or render the first set of markings invisible, e.g., relative to a surrounding or adjacent area.

The display device may be configured to expose, irradiate or illuminate areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a second exposure wavelength, e.g. to generate a second set of markings, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for a second activity, game or sport.

The features described above in respect of the first aspect of the invention may equally apply to the system according to a second aspect of the invention, and are therefore not repeated, merely for reasons of brevity.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for generating markings on a playing surface, the method comprising:

providing a playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material; and

irradiating the surface with electromagnetic radiation so as to generate a first set of markings on the surface.

The playing surface may be a playing surface according to the first aspect of the invention. The method may comprise using a system according to the second aspect of the invention.

The method may comprise exposing the surface to an electromagnetic radiation which may include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, visible light, or the like.

The method may comprise generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electromagnetic radiation on the surface, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for an activity, game or sport. Thus, the method may comprise exposing, irradiating or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a first exposure wavelength, e.g. to generate a first set of markings.

The method may comprise generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electromagnetic radiation, e.g. at a/the first exposure wavelength, on the surface, e.g. on an area encompassing the first set of markings, in order to “wipe” the first set of markings and/or render the first set of markings invisible, e.g., relative to a surrounding or adjacent area.

The method may comprise exposing, irradiating or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a second exposure wavelength, e.g. to generate a second set of markings, according to and/or corresponding to characteristics, e.g. dimensions, shape, and/or location, suitable for a second activity, game or sport.

The features described above in respect of the first aspect or the second aspect of the invention may equally apply to the method according to a third aspect of the invention, and are therefore not repeated, merely for reasons of brevity.

More generally, the features described in respect of any aspect of the invention may equally apply to any other aspect of the invention, and are therefore not repeated, merely for reasons of brevity.

DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a playing surface and system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates court markings produced by the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates alternative court markings produced by the system of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 includes a projector 12 and a playing surface 30 which contains a phosphorescent material. The projector 12 comprises a light source 14 capable of illuminating the surface 30 with light 20 at a first wavelength.

The light source 14 may be a laser which can be controlled by a computer to produce a desired pattern.

In this embodiment, however, the light source 14 has an optical filter 16 and a lens 18 so as to irradiate or expose the surface 30 according to a desired pattern. It is be realised that the illustration of FIG. 1 is schematic and that the known elements of a projector and other elements of the embodiment are not illustrated in detail. For example, the projector 12 comprises intricate electronics which are not shown here. In an embodiment, the projector 12 is a digital projector.

The projector 12 is situated above the playing surface 30 so that the light 20 emitted by the light source 14 is projected through the optical filter 16 and through the lens 18 onto the playing surface 30. The lens 18 will focus the light 20 onto the playing surface 30.

The optical filter 16, in this embodiment, may be a stencil holder that holds stencils which correspond to the line markings for the chosen game. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the court markings for basketball and the stencil holder, for such an arrangement, would hold a stencil having the line markings illustrated in FIG. 2 in negative. Therefore, inserting such a stencil into the stencil holder 16 and turning on the light source 14 would cause the projector 12 to project light 20 corresponding to the court markings 26 of FIG. 2 onto the playing surface 30, so as to activate the phosphorescent material in the playing surface to render markings 26 visible to an observer and/or player following exposure to the light 20 according to the selected pattern. Similarly, if the chosen game were volleyball, a stencil corresponding to the court markings 28 illustrated in FIG. 3, but in negative form, could be inserted into the stencil holder 16 to cause the projector 12 to project light 20 onto playing surface 30 corresponding to the court markings 28 illustrated in FIG. 3.

The chosen activity could therefore be easily altered by merely changing the stencil in the stencil holder 16. Therefore, embodiments of the invention avoid the confusion of multiple lines on the playing surface whilst providing a quick and cost-effective manner for altering the lines or markings.

It will be appreciated that any type of optical filter, whether mechanical or digital, may be envisaged so long as it allows the display of light on the surface 30 according to a desired pattern. In addition, when the whole surface 30 is to be irradiated, for example in order to render a first set of markings invisible, the projector can irradiate to whole surface 30 with light, e.g. light at a first wavelength.

An advantage of the present system is that, because the/each set of markings is activated prior to the surface being used for an activity, such that the markings are visible for a predetermined amount of time and preferably for an amount of time sufficient to allow the activity to occur without interruption, there is no risk of any interaction between the light (e.g., light generated by a projector) and players' bodies, accessories or equipment, during use.

It is to be realised that more than one light source may be used. In particular, the light source may comprise UV, IR and/or lasers.

Embodiments of the invention are particularly suited to the indoor environment where the level of ambient light is low and therefore the power required projection is also low. However further embodiments may be suited to the outdoor environment particularly in low light circumstances such as night-time. Further embodiments of the invention involving high-powered projectors are also suitable for use during daytime.

The user can reverse the activated surface just like “deleting” the lines ahead of its natural decay time by means of using the light source with a reverse (‘negative’) pattern, activating the earlier non-activated surface until the entire court surface fades into a single colour. The power intensity of the light source can be controlled in such a manner to activate the court surface with a different colour at each pre-set level. Hence the court can be used multiple times during the day.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the projector is situated above the playing surface. However, in further embodiments, the projector may be situated elsewhere such as below the playing surface which could be made from glass. Furthermore, the projector need not be situated directly above the playing surface and any distortion in geometry can be accounted for through appropriate arrangement of the optical filter 16 or the projecting light source. 

1. A playing surface, the playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material.
 2. The playing surface of claim 1, wherein the material is capable of absorbing radiation at predetermined wavelength, and is capable of emitting visible light in a delayed manner following exposure to the radiation.
 3. The playing surface of any preceding claim, wherein the phosphorescent material is provided within the surface material.
 4. The playing surface of any preceding claim, wherein exposure of the surface to the radiation causes the surface to show markings that correspond to markings for use in an activity, game or sport.
 5. The playing surface of any preceding claim, wherein the playing surface comprises a plurality of phosphorescent materials.
 6. The playing surface of any preceding claim, wherein the playing surface comprises a first phosphorescent material capable of absorbing energy at a first exposure wavelength and of emitting light at a first emission wavelength following irradiation, and a second phosphorescent material capable of absorbing energy at a second exposure wavelength and of emitting light at a second emission wavelength following irradiation.
 7. The playing surface of claim 6, wherein the first exposure wavelength and the second exposure wavelength are different.
 8. The playing surface of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first emission wavelength and the second emission wavelength are different.
 9. A system for generating markings on a playing surface, the system comprising: a playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material; and a display device for irradiating the surface with an electromagnetic radiation to generate a first set of markings on the surface.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the display device is configured to generate, project and/or illuminate the electromagnetic radiation on the playing surface, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics of a first activity, game or sport.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the display device is configured to expose, irradiate or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a first exposure wavelength to generate the first set of markings.
 12. A method for generating markings on a playing surface, the method comprising: providing a playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material; and irradiating the surface with electromagnetic radiation to generate a first set of markings on the surface.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprising exposing the surface to an electromagnetic radiation selected from ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, or visible light.
 14. The method of claim 12 or claim 13, comprising generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electronic radiation on the surface according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics of a first activity, game or sport.
 15. The method of claim 14, comprising exposing, irradiating or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a first exposure wavelength to generate the first set of markings.
 16. The method of any of claims 12 to 15, comprising generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electronic radiation at a/the first exposure wavelength on the surface to render the first set of markings invisible.
 17. The method of any of claims claims 12 to 16, comprising exposing, irradiating or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a second exposure wavelength, to generate a second set of markings according to and/or corresponding to characteristics of a second activity, game or sport. 